Sunday, January 24, 2010

We Are Not Indispensable

“Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.” Exodus 18:17-18

We are not indispensable to God. I know that may come as a shock to many of us, that the God of the universe doesn't need us to accomplish his purposes, but it is true. When Jethro met Moses in the wilderness, he found his son-in-law guilty of the same issues so many ministers and Christians are today. Moses didn't trust the other men in the midst of Israel to do part of his job. There are so many times I will overload my plate, try to do the work of five men, because I truly believe that if I didn't do all the work, the work would never get done. It may seem at the time so noble. But the hard work is ultimately motivated not by faith, but by a lack of faith in God's ability to accomplish his will without me. Jethro's advice to Moses in Exodus 18 should bring a sigh of relief to those of us working to help build the kingdom of God. The advice is simple--delegate when you can. Don't try to do everything yourself because if you do, you wont last long. We are not indispensable to God. Let this sink in and calm our tired hearts. We are working for a God with infinite resources and the ability to transform anybody's life to serve his will.

Lord Jesus, help us to see the people God has placed around us and share the task of ministry. Give us the strength and the faith to trust you to accomplish your will!